About a month ago, I ordered a set of sunflower seeds, but my beds were not ready to plant them until now.

Image Credit: Survival Seed Company

On July 2022, 2024, I planted the following seeds in my garden. Mississippi has a long growing season, and I already had the seed. I decided to take a chance, but I realize that a couple of the following may not bloom before the frost:

Sunflower Dwarf Teddy Bear
Image Credit: Botanical Interests
Height: 24″ – 36″
Time to Flower from Seed: 59 Days

‘A unique addition to your flower bed, these bright yellow puffball blossoms will give you a warm, fuzzy feeling! ‘Teddy Bear’ produces many 3″-5″ flowers on a 24″-36″ tall, multi-branching plant; beautiful as a short hedge and makes a fabulous cut flower. Sunflowers are edible, with a bittersweet flavor. The petals add a pretty pop of color ion salads and desserts. The young, sunflower buds are edible, with a flavor similar to artichoke hearts. They can be grilled, marinated, or sauteed for an unusual appetizer or side dish. Great for kids to grow due to the large seed and fast growth. Drought-tolerant once established, and attracts pollinators. Non-fussy plant blooms until fall.” Botanical Interests

Soak seeds

Soak seeds in lukewarm water for 8–10 hours before planting, but this step is optional. ” Google ai

Mexican Sunflower
Image Credit: Eden Brothers
Height: 3′ – 6′

Sunflower Lemon
Image Credit: Botanical Interests
Height: 5′ – 9′
Time to Bloom from Seed: 100 Days

“Majestic, multi-branched plants provide gorgeous cut flowers throughout summer. Easy to grow in almost any well-drained soil, and drought tolerant. In areas with a long growing season, sow a new crop every 2–4 weeks up until 3 months before first fall frost for continuous bloom. Due to its intense bee attraction, ‘Lemon Queen’ is the sunflower used in the Great Sunflower Project, a study to gather information about native bee populations.”

“Lemon Queen sunflower seeds can take 9–10 weeks, or about 100 days, to bloom after sowing.” Google ai

Sunflower Black Russian
Image Credit: Foraged
Height: 12′ –  15′
Time to Bloom from Seed: 70 – 100 Days

“Black Russian Sunflowers are the giants of the garden at 12-15′ tall and blooms that are 8″ across! Petals are a bright golden yellow and centers can be either quite dark or quite light. Seeds are black and striped. A great plant for attracting birds to the garden” Foraged

Sunflower Mammoth Grey Stripe
Image Credit: Eden Brothers
Height: up to 12: tall

“The most familiar and iconic of all the classic sunflowers, our Mammoth Grey Stripe Sunflower seeds may look like the kind you can eat, but we think you’ll find them much more rewarding when planted in a sunny location. These beautiful flowers live up to their name and can grow up to a towering 12 feet high with 10+ inch blooms!” Eden Brothers

Image Credit: Eden Brothers

I am happy to report that I don’t need to plant any Grey-Stripe Sunflower Seeds. Since early summer, my birds have been planting them for me.

Sunflower Black Oil
Image Credit: Eden Brothers

Sunflower Black Oil
Image Credit: Eden Brothers

Both Grey Stripe Sunflower Seeds and Black Oil Sunflower Seeds are in the Birdseed that I buy: Kaytee Nut & Fruit Blend:

Kaytee Nut & Fruit Bird Seed is the gift that keeps giving. Now, my garden is filled with sunflower seed heads that are drying in the sun. I am planning a massive stand of sunflowers for my garden next summer, but every morning, I discover new sunflowers growing beneath my bird feeders,